A tape reel assembly for a data storage tape cartridge including a hub, and first and second flanges. The hub defines a hub axis and opposing first and second ends from which the flanges extend, respectively. The first flange includes a radially extending main body and an adjustment section. The adjustment section is provided within the main body, defines a tape edge contact surface, and is characterized by an increased flexibility as compared to the main body. The tape edge contact surface is readily deflectable relative to the hub axis. The adjustment section is configured such that a deflection orientation of the tape edge contact surface is a function of pressure on the hub. During use, as pressure on the hub increases (e.g., tape winding pressure), the adjustment section positions the tape edge contact surface to desirably direct the wound tape to a consistent lateral position.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A tape reel assembly for a data storage tape cartridge, the tape reel comprising: a hub defining a hub axis, opposing first and second ends, and a uniform tape-receiving surface; a first flange extending radially from the first end of the hub, at least a portion of the first flange defining a tape edge contact surface and being readily detectable relative to the hub axis and configured such that a deflection orientation of the tape edge contact surface is directly related to a pressure on the tap-receiving surface; and a second flange extending from the second end of the hub.
2. The tape reel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first flange includes an adjustment section having an elongated member extending from a fixed end positioned adjacent the hub to a free end positioned opposite the hub.
3. The tape reel assembly of claim 2 , wherein the main body forms an aperture within which the elongated member extends.
4. The tape reel assembly of claim 3 , wherein the fixed end is connected to the hub via the main body.
5. The tape reel assembly of claim 2 , wherein the fixed end is connected to the hub.
6. The tape reel assembly of claim 2 , wherein the elongated member is a tube.
7. The tape reel assembly of claim 6 , wherein the elongated member is elliptical in transverse cross-section.
8. The tape reel assembly of claim 1 , further comprising: a guide component formed separate from the hub and including the adjustment section.
9. The tape reel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first flange includes a plurality of adjustment sections.
10. The tape reel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second flange includes: a main body extending radially from the hub; and an adjustment section provided within the main body of the second flange, the adjustment section of the second flange defining a tape edge contact surface and characterized by an increased flexibility as compared to the main body of the second flange such that the tape edge contact surface of the second flange is readily deflectable relative to the hub axis; wherein the adjustment section of the second flange is configured such that a deflection orientation of the tape edge contact surface of the second flange is a function of a pressure on the hub.
11. The tape reel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the tape-receiving surface is characterized by the absence of a cut out.
12. A data storage tape cartridge comprising: a housing defining an enclosed region; at least one tape reel assembly rotatably disposed within the enclosed region and including: a hub defining a hub axis, a uniform tape-receiving surface, and opposing first and second ends, a first flange extending radially from the first end of the hub, at least a portion of the first flange defining a tape edge contact surface and being readily deflectable relative to the hub axis, a second flange extending from the second end of the hub; and a storage tape wound about the tape-receiving surface of the hub; wherein winding of the storage tape imparts a winding pressure onto the tape-receiving surface, and further wherein the first flange is configured such that a deflection orientation of the tape edge contact surface is directly related to the winding pressure.
13. The data storage tape cartridge of claim 12 , wherein a tape guide plane is defined perpendicular to the first end of the hub, and further wherein the first flange is configured such that with increased winding pressure, an area of the tape edge contact surface deflecting below the tape guide plane increases for contacting an edge of the storage tape.
14. The data storage tape cartridge of claim 12 , wherein the first flange includes an adjustment section as an elongated member extending from a fixed end positioned adjacent the hub to a free end positioned opposite the hub.
15. The data storage tape cartridge of claim 14 , wherein the fixed end is connected to the hub.
16. The data storage tape cartridge of claim 14 , wherein the main body forms an aperture within which the elongated member extends.
17. The data storage tape cartridge of claim 14 , wherein the elongated member is a tube.
18. The data storage tape cartridge of claim 17 , wherein the elongated member is elliptical in transverse cross-section.
19. The data storage tape cartridge of claim 12 , wherein the second flange includes: a main body extending radially from the hub; and an adjustment section provided within the main body of the second flange, the adjustment section of the second flange defining a tape edge contact surface and characterized by an increased flexibility as compared to the main body of the second flange such that the tape edge contact surface of the second flange is readily deflectable relative to the hub axis; wherein the adjustment section of the second flange is configured such that a deflection orientation of the tape edge contact surface of the second flange is a function of a pressure on the hub.
20. A data storage tape cartridge comprising: a housing defining an enclosed region; at least one tape reel rotatably disposed within the enclosed region, the tape reel including: a hub defining a hub axis, a uniform tape-receiving surface, and opposing first and second ends, a first flange extending radially from the first end of the hub, at least a portion of the first flange defining a tape edge contact surface and being readily deflectable relative to the hub axis, a second flange extending from the second end of the hub; and a storage tape wound about the tape-receiving suface of the hub; wherein the at least the portion of the first flange is configured to gradually deflect inwardly relative to the hub axis with an increased length of the storage tape being wound about the tape-receiving surface such that the tape edge contact surface contacts an edge of the tape.
21. The data storage tape cartridge of claim 20 , wherein a tape guide plane is defined perpendicular to the first end of the hub, and further wherein the first flange is configured to transition from a first orientation in which a majority of the tape edge contact surface is above the tape guide plane to a second orientation in which a majority of the tape edge contact surface is below the tape guide plane with an increased length of the storage tape being wound about the tape-receiving surface.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
April 26, 2002
May 25, 2004
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.